Tight harmonies that belie subtle darker undertones.
‘Stan Wella’ is the fifth album release from this four-piece Australian band. They produce sumptuous harmonies throughout which certainly help to bind and define all the songs. It’s not an album that is easy to categorize, which is evidently their objective. “We are relishing the creative freedom of this album, which transcends being classified strictly as Country, Americana or Folk. It is simply a Green Mohair Suits album.”
It opens with a short twee song ‘May The Wind’ which sets the pleasant tone that is manifest throughout although that does mask several darker subject matters they tackle. The second track is a catchy reggae-influenced number ‘No One Else’.
‘Hell or High Water’ is beyond doubt the standout. It has Springsteen running all the way through it but with wonderful harmonies thrown in for good measure. An intense tale of love, struggle, and despair. “We got married in the summer to the sound of rain, these were difficult times a lot of folks in pain….. Come hell or high water we will make it work. I will be holding your hand until they put me in the dirt”. Heartbreaking folk rock no doubt.
‘You’ve Done It Again’ has a very jaunty feel dealing with the changes and loss of friendship while ‘He Shouldn’t Know’ has an old-fashioned barbershop vibeabout it complete with falsetto voices. Both deal with serious subjects but in their summery light-hearted style. ‘We hurt the ones we love’ opens with the lines “We hurt the ones we love the most, parasites who killed the host”. Dark stuff. The final track ‘Where Did It Go‘ which lasts only ninety-four seconds fades in nicely and could be taken straight off ‘Pet Sounds’ as could several tracks.
Are these sad happy songs or happy sad songs? It is difficult to tell the difference. The strength of the diverse nature of the album is in many ways is its weakness too. Asking the question of who it will appeal to. It will certainly appeal to jolly depressives among others.
